Returnable envelope



April s, 1958 Filed Feb. 1, 1955 JOHN BROWN,

CHICAGO, ILL,

R. F. ALSOP 2,829,818 RETURNABLE ENVELOPE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JOHN BROWN AGO ILL.

g INVENTOR PEEsE F. 141.501

ATTORNEYS April Filed F R. F. ALSOP RETURNABLE ENVELOPE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JOHN DOE NEW YORK CITY JOH N BROWN CHICAGO ILLw OHN DOE 43 v YORK Q'ITY FR M Jckm Do: Ned Yonk, NY.

INVENTOR PEEs F. 14150;:

United States Patent "cc RETURNABLE ENVELOPE Reese F. Alsop, Huntington, N. Y., assignor of one-third to Frank C. Fisher, Bayville, and one-third to W. Shelby Coates, Locust Valley, N. Y.

Application February 1, 1955, Serial No. 485,370

2 Claims. (Cl. 229-73) This invention relates to a mailing piece in the form of an envelope and relates more especially to an envelope which, after its receipt bythe initial recipient, has means provided whereby a missive may be returned ,to the original sender without having to use a new envelope.

It is an object of thisinvention to provide an 'envelope which is returnable to the original sender by the initial recipient.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an envelope such that the same envelope may be used both for the initial mailing and the return mailing.

A further object of this invention is to provide a single envelope means which may be initially dispatched with the contents sealed therewithin and. which likewise may be used for return to the original sender with the contents sealed therewithin.

It is a further objective of this invention to provide the foregoing by envelope means which is extremely sim- I ple and inexpensive to manufacture.

in accordance with this invention, a returnable envelope is provided which consists principally of an inner panel and an outer panel. that are united along and. adjacent three margins thereof, two of these margins being substantially parallel and the third margin being trans verse to the other two. The fourth margin of the outer panel is free so as to provide an opening into the envelope pocket that is formed by andbetween the panels. The inner panel has a flapwhich is joinedv thereto along a foldline that is adjacent the fourth margin ofthe outer panel. The flap is folded along this foldline so as to enter the opening into the envelope pocket and so as to be disposed between the inner and outer panels. The inner and outer panels are folded in the same direction about a central foldline that is substantially midway between the aforesaid parallel margins of the panels and these parallel margins are held in juxtaposed relation by suitable attaching means such as a staple or sticker. An insert such as a. billmay be disposed within the envelope pocket so that at least part thereof is disposed between the flap and the inner panel and it is apparentthat because of the folded relation of both the inner and outer panels with the aforesaid parallel margins thereof attached together the insert is locked within the envelope pocket in effectively sealed condition. By placing a stamp and the identifying address of the intended initial recipient on the outer panel between one of the aforesaid parallel margins and the central foldline a convenient mailing piece having the general size and shape of an envelope is afforded whereby a missive such as a bill may be mailed out in safely sealed-in relation with the envelope.

When the envelope is sent out the sender can conveniently place his identifying'name and address on the inner panel, with the result that upon detaching the attachment of the parallel margins that was effected by the attaching means such as a staple or sticker when the envelope was initially mailed, and unfolding the panels along the aforesaid central foldline the original senders name and address are exposed for reuse of the sameen- 2,829,818 Patented Apr. 8, 1958 velope for its return to the original sender. Preferably the envelope is returned in the unfolded condition and after the flap has been pulled out from inserted relation with respect to the envelope pocket so as to overlie the outer panel to which it may be sealed as by a latent activatable adhesive of the type commonly used in the manufacture of envelopes. By providing the word from on the flap so that when the. flap overlies the outer panel it becomes immediately adjacent the identifying address of the initial recipient on the outer panel the postal authorities will be clearly informed as to which is the primary addressee and which is the return addressee when the envelope is returned to the original sender. It is apparent that when the envelope is thus returned to the original sender it may be sealed so that an insert such as a bill accompanied by a check may be effectively sealed within the envelope.

While it is preferable to return the envelope in the condition referred to in the preceding paragraph, the envelope can also be used for return by reinserting the flap between the inner and outer panels and folding the envelope in the opposite direction about the central foldline so that the outer panel of the envelope as initially mailed will become the inner panel. In such case, as well, the contents of the envelope are effectively sealed within it when the parallel margins are attached together as by the use of another staple or sticker sealing means.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description of certain typical embodiments of this invention which have been shown for purposes of illustration in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sheet of paper in unfolded condition which is adapted to be folded so as to form the envelope of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view on a smaller scale as compared-with Fig. l which illustrates the manner of foldingof the paper blank;

Fig. 3 isa plan view of the partially completed envelope wherein the envelope pocket is formed and the flap is shown as being partially inserted into the pocket so as to hold an insert such as a bill therewithin;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the other side of the partially completed envelope after the insertion of the flap has been completed, the position of one portion of the envelope being indicated in dotted lines during folding to complete the envelope in the direction indicated by the arrow;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view on a somewhat smaller scale showing the envelope in completed condition ready to be mailed;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the envelope shown in the preceding figures with the outer panel uppermost and the flap secured to the inner panel overlying the outer panel;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the other side of the envelope shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of this-invention showing the outer panel uppermost;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 with the inner panel uppermost;

Fig. 10 is a'perspective view of the envelope shown in Figs. 8 and 9 in completed condition ready to be mailed out; and- Fig. 1 1 is a perspective view of the envelope in position for its return to the original sender.

Referring to the embodiment of this invention shown in Figs. 1 to 7, it is to be noted, especially from Fig. 1, that the. envelope of this invention may be made from a very simple blank such as a substantially rectangular sheet of paper. The pocket of the envelope body is made up essentially from two panels. The panel 15 is the outer panelof the finished envelope and the panel 16 is addresses can be applied at any time, the name and address 17 of the original sender may, if desired, be applied, as by printing, to the inner panel as shown. The inner panel has a flap 18 united therewith along the foldline 19. The flap has the word from applied thereto which is indicated by the reference character 20. 'Ihe purpose of the word from will be made apparent hereinbelow. Along each side of the inner panel 16 there are narrow flaps 21 and 21 which may have a suitable adhesive applied thereto.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the envelope body which is formed primarily by the outer panel 15 and the inner panel 16 may be formed by first turning in the flaps 21 and 21' in the direction shown by the arrows in Fig; 2 and then, upon activating the adhesive on the flaps 21 and 21', folding the outer panel 15 about the foldline 22 so as to cause the marginal portions of the outer flap 15 to adhere to the flaps 21 and 21'. In this way the inner panel 16 is secured to the outer panel 15 along and adjacent three margins, two of the margins where the flaps 21 and 21' unite the inner and outer panels being parallel as indicated at 23 and 23' in Fig. 3. The third margin, where the outer and inner panels are united so as to provide the pocket of the envelope body, is transverse to the margins 23 and 23' and is provided along the foldline 22. The fourth margin of the outer panel 15, which is'indicated by the reference character 24, is open and free so as to provide an opening for the pocket of the envelope body that is formed by and between the innerand outer panels.

Referring especially to Fig. 3, the partially completed envelope is shown after havinginserted in the pocket of the envelope body some insert such as the paper sheet 25 which, for purposes of illustration, may be a bill. After having placed the insert 25 within the envelope pocket the flap 18 is tucked into the envelope pocket so as to be disposed between the outer panel 15 and the inner panel 16 with a portion of the insert 25 disposed between the flap 18 and the inner panel 16. The completely inserted flap is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. As also shown in Fig. 4, the next step in the completion of the envelope is to fold both of the panels 15 and 16 n the same direction about the central foldline 26, which Is about midway between the parallel margins 23 and 23', until the parts have been brought into the position shown in Fig. wherein the margins 23 and 23' have been brought into juxtaposition and are held in such uxtaposed position by suitable securing means such as thestaple 27. The name and address 28 of the intended initial recipient may be applied at any time. For example, the initial addressee may be indicated on the outer panel as by typewriter when the envelope is in the partially completed position shown in Fig. '3, except that in running it through the typewriter the flap 18 is out straight rather than in the curled position as shown. However, the name and address of the initial addressee could be applied after the envelope has been completed so as to be in the form shown in Fig. 5. In either case it IS apparent that by placing a stamp 29 in the position shown the envelope can be dispatched in essentially the same way that an ordinary envelope is dispatched. If desired, the name and address of the sender may be placed on the outer panel so as to be visible when the mailing piece is initially sent out as, for example, as indicated by the reference character 30 in Fig. 3. Due to the fact that the flap 18 is disposed between the outer panel and the inner panel when the envelope is initially mailed, it is apparent that the name and address of the original sender will be exposed when the envelope is initially mailed out in the form shown in Fig. 5, themanner of showing being a conventional form for indicating a return address. When the envelope is sent out it is obvious that an enclosure such as'abill. is held therein so that it cannot be removed without breaking the seal provided by the staple 27.

When the envelope is received, then it can be readily opened by pulling the margins 23 and 23' apart so as to detach the staple 27. After the envelope has been unfolded along the foldline 26 the flap 18 can be readily taken out so as to permit removal of the enclosure such as a bill. All that the recipient then has to do to mail the envelope back to the original sender is to fold the flap 18 so as to overlie the outer panel 15 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. In using the envelope the bill may be placed therein together with a check in payment and suitable latent activatable adhesive 31.may then be used to seal the envelope. The adhesive may be of any suitable kind, such as that which may be activated responsive to moisture or to pressure. It is to be noted that when the flap has been folded so as to overlie the outer panel 15 it covers the stamp 29 that was initially used as well as the senders return address as indicated by the reference character 30 in Fig. 3. Moreover, the word from or some equivalent indicia falls opposite the name and address of the initial addressee so that this identifying address now becomes a return address. When the panel 16 is opened out this also causes the initial senders name and address, as indicated at 17, to become exposed so that the envelope may be placed in the mail in the usual way with a stamp 32 or a postage meter marking placed thereon.

It is believed to be apparent from the foregoing that according to this invention an envelope has been provided manipulation in some way that is either inconvenient or not readily apparent.

Hereinabove preferred locations for the addresses of the initial addressee and the return addressee have been shown, but it is apparent that they may be disposed in other locations While accomplishing the purposes hereinabove described. Moreover, the structure may be varied. For example, the flaps 21 and 21' are preferably comprised in the blank that is initially used. However, if a still simpler type of blank is desired it is apparent that the panels 15 and 16 may be merely folded so as to abut each other and held in face-to-face position along the margins by a strip of adhesive at the interface. The margin 24 of the panel 15 has been shown as slightly curved since this shape is regarded as preferable in facilitating the insertion and removal of the flap 18 from position between the outer and inner panels. However, the curved margin is not essential to the practice of the invention. In addition to the foregoing it is also apparent that the shape of the flap 18 may be varied. However, it is desirable that all or part of the stamp 29 be covered by the flap 18 when the flap overlies the outer panel 15 as shown in Fig. 6. 0n the other hand, the flap 18 should leave enough of the outer panel 15 exposed so as to leave room for the name and address of the initial addressee. Usually the panel 18 is from about A to about /a the width of the outer panel 15 so as to accomplish these objectives. It is also apparent that the envelope may be embodied in articles of different size and shape, depending on the contents to be mailed therein.

Another embodiment of this invention is shown in Figs. 8 to 11. Referring to Fig. 8, the envelope is in the condition shown in Fig. 3 and comprises the elements shown in Figs. 1 to 3 except that the outer panel 15' as well as the inner panel 16 are more rectangular in shape. The name and address of the initial addressee, as indicated by the reference character 28, as well as the stamp 29, are essentially the same as shown in Fig. 3

as applied to the outer panel 15'. However, on the opposite side, namely, on the inner panel 16', the name and address of the original sender are placed thereon in the position as indicated by the reference character 32 and a stamp may be applied in the position indicated by the reference character 33.

In using the embodiment of this invention that is exemplified in Figs. 8 to 11, an insert such as a bill may be placed in the envelope pocket between the outer panel 15 and the inner panel 16. The flap 18 is then inserted so as to be disposed between the panels 15 and 16' with a portion thereof overlying the insert. Upon then folding the mailing piece about the foldline 26' to the position shown in Fig. the insert becomes locked within the envelope so that it cannot be removed and the parts may be sealed in this condition as by suitable sealing means such as sticker 34. Upon receiving the envelope in the condition shown in Fig. 10 the sticker 34 may be broken and the envelope may be unfolded so as to permit removal of the contents. For return of the envelope such contents as are to be mailed back to the original sender are inserted and the flap 18 is again inserted between the two panels and 16'. Upon then reversing the fold so as to bring the panel 16' to the outside the name and address of the original sender, as indicated at 32 in Fig. 11, becomes exposed and the parts may be sealed in this condition by the use of another sticker 34. In this condition the stamp 33 will carry the envelope on its return travel to the original sender. If desired, the same envelope can be again used merely by breaking the sticker 34 and reversing the parts so as to bring them into the position shown in Fig. 10. The envelope can thus be shuttled back and forth until it is worn out. If desired, return addresses may be used in the usual way at any convenient place as indicated at 35 and 36.

I claim:

1. A returnable envelope comprising in combination an inner panel, an outer panel united with said inner panel along and adjacent three margins thereof, two of which margins are substantially parallel and the third of which margins is transverse to the other two, said outer panel being free along the fourth margin thereof to provide an opening into the pocket formed by and between said panels, a flap which is joined to said inner panel along a foldline that is adjacent said fourth margin of said outer panel and which is folded into said opening and disposed between said inner and outer panels, said envelope including said inner and outer panels being folded in the same direction about a central foldline substantially midway between and parallel with said parallel margins with said outer panel on the outside and said parallel margins in substantially juxtaposed relation, attaching means which attaches said panels together adjacent said parallel margins, said outer panel having the intended recipients identifying address appearing thereon between one of said parallel margins and said central foldline, and said inner panel having the senders identifying address thereon whereby upon detaching the attachment of said parallel margins effected by said attaching means and unfolding said panels said senders identifying address is exposed for use in return of the envelope to the sender.

2. A returnable envelope comprising in combination an inner panel, an outer panel united with said inner panel along and adjacent three margins thereof, two of said margins being substantially parallel and the third of said margins being transverse to the other two, said outer panel being free along the fourth margin to provide an opening into the pocket formed by and between said panels, a flap which is joined to said inner panel along a foldline that is adjacent said fourth margin of said outer panel and which is folded into said opening and disposed between said inner and outer panels, said envelope including said inner and outer panels being folded in the same direction about a central foldline substantially midway between and parallel with said parallel margins with said outer panel on the outside and said parallel margins in substantially juxtaposed relation, attaching means by which said panels are attached together adjacent said parallel margins thereof, said flap being removable from said opening upon detaching the attachment elfected by said attaching means and upon unfolding said panels about said central foldline and being adapted to be folded so as to overlie the exterior surface of said outer panel and cover a minor portion of the area thereof, and latent activatable adhesive along the margin of said flap for securing said flap to said exterior surface of said outer panel upon activation of said adhesive.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 761,004 Meadows May 24, 1904 1,470,335 Sternheimer Oct. 9, 1923 1,995,183 Kovnat Mar. 19, 1935 2,527,925 Frampton Oct. 31, 1950 2,645,166 Blizard July 14, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 18,878 Switzerland Mar. 15, 1899 

